used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
adultnounUS /əˈdʌlt/
a fully developed person from maturity onward
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
antitheticaladjectiveUS /ˌæntəˈθetɪkəl/
sharply contrasted in character or purpose
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
arguedverbUS /ˈɑːrɡjuːd/
past form of “argue” — present reasons and arguments
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
articulatedadjectiveUS /ɑːrˈtɪkjəleɪtɪd/
consisting of segments held together by joints
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
a young person of either sex
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
companionshipnounUS /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/
the state of being with someone
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
dialoguesnounUS /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡz/
plural of “dialogue” — a conversation between two persons
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
emphasizeverbUS /ˈemfəsaɪz/
to stress, single out as important
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
engagingadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/
attracting or delighting
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
divisible by two
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
favoredadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərd/
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
set up or found
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
inwardadjectiveUS /ˈɪnwərd/
relating to or existing in the mind or thoughts
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
malaisenounUS /mæˈleɪz/
physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression)
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
mendacitynounUS /menˈdæsɪti/
the tendency to be untruthful
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
multifariousadjective
having many aspects or qualities
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
necessarilyadverbUS /ˌnesəˈserəli/
in an essential manner
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
prevarications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
propositionsnounUS /ˌprɑːpəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “proposition” — (logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
reverberatingadjectiveUS /rɪˈvɜːrbəreɪtɪŋ/
characterized by resonance
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
sensitiveadjectiveUS /ˈsensətɪv/
responsive to physical stimuli
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
shudderingadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/
shaking convulsively or violently
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
a male human offspring
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
sotto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
spuriousadjectiveUS /sˈpjʊriəs/
ostensibly valid, but not actually valid
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
tiptoeingverbUS /ˈtɪptoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “tiptoe” — walk on one's toes
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
vapidadjectiveUS /ˈvæpɪd/
lacking taste or flavor or tang
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
voce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Still it was true in the sense that most things were true in a sense, for in her malaise on that cold Christmas morning, shuddering before a vapid wall of canvas, she guessed that multifarious and antithetical points to propositions of truth were all there was.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
at the time that
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But, she argued in solitary inward dialogues within herself, which she found to be the most engaging form of companionship, that did not necessarily mean that her quiet tiptoeing prevarications were lies.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A child, even this one, was a sensitive creature whom she, an adult, needed to emphasize certain points to while tiptoeing away from others.
wisps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading But the mendacity, now reverberating in memory, seemed more spurious than it had two weeks earlier when she had articulated it sotto voce within the wisps of her breath.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You are the favored one: this was what she had told her son.
